How I Nurtured My Creative Courage

As I was reviewing my 2017, I got anxious about writing this “end of year” post.

It’s kind of ironic.

I’ve been more anxious about writing this post than anything else I’ve written this year.

And yet, this post is about creative courage.

Crazy, eh?

Something weird was happening in my mind

At the end of 2016, I wrote a post about learning to be me. And as the end of 2017 approaches, I’ve tortured myself with the question:

How can I write something as good?

As I look back on 2017, all I can think of are the crappy things.

Again, I’ve not launched a book or self-study course. And that’s despite reducing my blogging schedule. I’m so slow!

I think of the email deliverability issues that have plagued me since the summer, but that I was slow to pick up on. I don’t know whether I’m too late to revive a bunch of inactive subscribers (who may not have received my emails for months).

I worry I don’t publish often enough, and that that may have impacted my open rates, too. Or is it because I have written fewer personal posts?

By dwelling on the crappy things, it’s easy to talk myself into thinking my business is falling apart.

But we can choose what stories we tell ourselves

In 3 years of chronic illness, I’ve learned to focus on the tiny signs of progress, such as: I find it easier to get out of a car. I can breathe more freely, with both my left and right lung. I get panicky less often.

Every time I despair at my slow recovery, and when I feel overwhelmed by exhaustion or my body screams at me, I remind myself of the bright spots. Things ARE getting better. My body IS getting more resilient.

So, why are my business stories so negative?

I told myself to look at the bright spots here, too, and to feel proud that I’m running my own business. I reminded myself how good it is to see the people in my writing courses thrive.

And I might not have launched a new product this year, but I’ve re-organized my copywriting course (and it’s better than ever!).

How about you?

When you think about the past year, do you get frustrated by the things you haven’t done yet? Or do you feel proud of what you have achieved?

Have you listed everything you’ve done this year? How many things had you almost forgotten?

My friend Sonia Thompson is an Inc contributor. We had discussed my infographic in a Skype call, but when I emailed her a link, I made it as easy as possible to say “no” to featuring it:

I’m still apprehensive whether Henrietta looks good enough for sites like Inc.com (…) If you’re uncomfortable with the design, then feel free to say so.

I’m grateful for friends who believe in my work, even when I don’t believe in it myself, and I feel extraordinarily lucky with a supportive community here on Enchanting Marketing. You help me dig deeper, learn more, and be proud of my work.

I’ve never seen myself as an artist

Even typing the word “artist” here makes me cringe.

But there is an artist in all of us.

In 2011, I would have told you, I can’t write. As recently as 2013, I would have told you I can’t draw.

But in November 2012, I started this blog, and I published my first hand-drawn illustration in January 2014.

I don’t think it’s the act of drawing and writing that built my confidence. It’s the act of sharing my work despite my doubts.

Creative work is scary

A couple of months ago, I read the book “The Upside of Stress” by Kelly McGonigal.

McGonigal describes how as a society we see stress as a negative, but she argues that a “meaningful life is a stressful life.” How can we grow as creators without getting out of our comfort zone? How can we grow as entrepreneurs and human beings without stress?

As McGonigal writes:

Rather than being a sign that something is wrong with your life, feeling stressed can be a barometer for how engaged you are in activities and relationships that are personally meaningful.

Creative work is stressful.

Because it feels personal and it’s wrapped in uncertainty.

I never know how my work will turn out. The vision in my mind never becomes reality. But that’s okay.

I’ve learned to focus on doing the work. When I worry less about the result, I can enjoy my creative process more, I become more productive, and, somehow, I produce a better piece of writing.

I’m also finally learning that everyone walks their own creative journey. I compare my work less with others. I know where I am in my journey, and that is okay.

I love this post! You’ve always come across as confident and together in your blog, and to know that someone as talented as you are experiences the same difficulties as the rest of us is empowering and encouraging. When I look back on any year, the achievements that mean the most are often unrelated to work, even though I love being an editor and a writer. The most meaningful achievements tend to be creative: acting in a play, putting together a photography exhibit, having a 10-minute play performed. Maybe that’s because they all grow my spirit? Your post reminds me what I want to do to make 2018 an exciting year. Thank you! (And Happy Christmas!)

Gosh….I was meant to read your inspiring post today! I have been dealing with chronic pain for the past two years myself, and I have been feeling awful about not putting as much time into my blog as I once did. Thank you for sharing your story, and hopefully 2018 will be a year of positive baby steps in both our health and blogs.

Sometimes we have to cut ourselves a little bit of slack—dealing with chronic pain is exhausting so we can never do as much as when we were fit and energetic. The silver lining for me is that it forces me to make clear choices in what I want and don’t want to do. I wish you a better health in 2018, too. Thank you so much for adding your thoughts here. I appreciate it.

This is so true Henneke. Although I don’t know what it’s like to deal with chronic pain, I can relate to not being able to do “enough” due to other dynamics of one’s life. I am a single mom of two young kids living in a foreign country with no family support. Life can be hard and progress can be slower than anticipated at times. We certainly do need to cut ourselves a little bit of slack and celebrate the little steps along the way.

Peace and love to you this holiday season… Please, please, may I find 2018 creative and enchanting!! I wish this right back to you and to my fellow readers here.

Your impact and contributions via your fab writing and stunning infoDrawings have become a part of my journey. And you, a part of my heart… Seems like one’s creative journey often overlaps with that tiny little personal journey, doesn’t it?

Why do the negatives always want to stand out? Maybe they hurt and leave a scar on us that our triumphs don’t. Maybe we dwell more on what we can improve rather than what we’ve done well. Either way, especially at this time of year when it may be easy to feel depressed, I think we all need to remind ourselves to turn it upside down and focus on the good. Every step is foward motion. Even if you get knocked down, take one small step to keep going…

Henneke, I am one of those people that have been receiving much fewer emails from you recently than I used to. And it doesn’t matter. The connection is there; I still read your blog, I don’t need the reminders that every single post adds value my life, I already know they do. I’m sorry to hear your health is not what you would like it to be, that must be so tough. But you should be incredibly proud of the things you have achieved, despite ill health. Your blog matters to a great many people me included. In your blogs, you comment on the same books I read, and we both think the same in so many ways. That connection matters, it’s not broken by some temporary radio silence. Here is another thought. One of my most important mantras is: this thought is a choice. Try it out maybe it works for you too. Your blog is so useful to me because it isn’t just about writing. There is so much more to it. Never mind creative confidence – maybe you are overthinking things. Anyway, I wish you the best and most successful year in 2018. Hope all your hard work pays off and that you smash every silly metric you have set for yourself.

Yes, you’re right – I’m overthinking. But it’s hard to stop negative trains of thought and it takes a lot of energy. I know a thought is just a thought and I have a choice to change it, but on bad days I don’t always have the energy for it.

Don’t worry, I’m not setting any silly metrics. I take my life day by day and try to be thankful I’m still writing and publishing my work — even if it’s only every other week!

I feel grateful to you for reading my blog for so many years and for encouraging me with your comments. I so appreciate it. Wishing you a successful 2018, too!

I totally agree, trying to stop negative thoughts doesn’t work. Psychologists have tested it and come to the same conclusion. Do you know the work of Ellen Langer? If you like Kelly McGonigal, I think you will like her books too. Have a good Christmas.

May you have a nice holiday season as well. I hope you’re health continues to improve throughout the new year.

And yes, you’ll see me continuing to read your posts “then.” I haven’t missed one of your posts since I met you. Hooked as soon as I took my first course with you. You are so talented I’d buy most anything you create.

Not only has my writing improved, but I’m asked all the time to write for people. It’s become a pretty long list.

My newest project? My granddaughter came down with Type-1 diabetes a couple of years ago. She’s now 12 and would like to attend a summer camp that helps children learn how to deal with the disease.

“Grandpa, you know how to write. Would you help me?” (See? Word spreads!)

So we’re just now launching a 6-month campaign to raise $3,600 for her 3-week tuition. And she’s set a goal to raise enough to also sponsor another kid who doesn’t have the money.

So keep writing, Henneke. You’re an inspiration to many of us. And thanks for all you’ve taught me!

Thanks for the offer to participate in the campaign. No public page yet. Our plan is to approach family and closer friends individually first for larger gifts to get off to a good start. Then create a public campaign using social media contacts. I’ll let you know when it goes public.

Dearest Henneke. You’re a total inspiration to us all. Thank you for your bravery, and creativity, and for publishing words and pictures that have really made me take stock this year. Have a fantastic break, and well done on a brilliant year. Best wishes, Sonja

Hi Henneke, of all the people in my blogging world who should never second guess their creative ability, you are at the top of the list. Go forth and write with self-righteous pride in 2018, because you deserve it. Happy Christmas and see you on the other side. Cheers, Mel

I once read in a parenting book that one of the most important things we can do for our children is to be “the keeper of their good stories”. To remind them of their highs when they feel low. To bring up those many times when they were successful when they doubt themselves.

Because when you doubt yourself you live in the moment and may not remember all the other times you did great.

But we all have this vulnerable child leaving inside, and we all need such a person in our life. And although we might have friends and family who sometimes help us overcome our doubts, the main “keeper of our good stories” should be us.

Thank you for this wonderful post, dear Henneke. It stroke a note because I was thinking about it just this morning I.

“What have I accomplished this year? Was it enough? Am I good enough?”

But I can’t guarantee that everyone’s email is delivered at exactly the same time. Earlier this year, for instance, there was a delay and everyone with a Hotmail address received their email 3 days late!

I have a friend who always seems to walk on the sunny side of the street, and can instantly reframe anything to sincerely see its advantages. As for me, when someone asks “How are you?” I tend to think of all the things that aren’t so good. If I just reply that I’m fine, I feel as if I am being inauthentic. Ugh! This year I booked a number of sessions with a cognitive behavioural therapist to help me out of my seeming rut — which has been fun and illuminating, so i’ll chalk it up as an achievement :).

Anyhow, like you I have come to the end of another year with less achieved business-wise than I wanted to, for a number of reasons. I haven’t yet made peace with that. It feels like I’ve just been lazy.

Thanks to your post, I’m going to sit and write the list of what I *have* achieved this year (I’ve been avoiding that… it felt like there was nothing to put on it!). And I’ll chalk it up to experience, and put down some on-paper plans for 2018.

Thanks for your realness and courage as always, and for the excellent skills you always share with us here. I wish you a lovely break, and hope that the snowy weather in the UK fills you with bright and festive thoughts.

I’m sure there is way more on your list than you imagine. We always do more than we think, but we forget half of it. I had to think deeply before I even thought of the infographics I had drawn this year.

And yes, your CBT sessions should totally count, too—it was a learning experience, right? You took action and did something new.

We seem to be in the only place in the UK where there’s no snow. We had a sprinkling on Saturday morning, but that quickly melted away. We did have hail, sleet, and rain over the weekend, but that was it.

Please make peace with yourself, and find a small project that excites you for 2018!

My initial reaction when I look back on 2017 is one of frustration. When you strive for perfection, it’s easy to see the negatives. Yet, I know, if I make time to reflect properly then I’ll recognize more accomplishments.

Thank you for your openness and encouragement through your writing and drawing in 2017.

I wonder why it is such a pervasive myth that successful people never feel doubt or fear and are superhuman in some way different from the rest of the world. The more often that successful people, like yourself, speak out, the more others will realize those feelings are normal and to not be stopped by them. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.

I also don’t know why it’s such stubborn myth. I wish more people spoke out about their fears and self-doubts so everyone would realize fears are normal and inherent in the creative process. I’d love more people to dance with their fears and be creative.

Dear Henneke, I have missed your emails. I wondered if I had been tossed of your list for some reason.

2017 has been a year of many changes, some great and some not.

All have been valuable. I thrive on stress to produce my best work.

I’ve not written as much as I would have liked this past year, but I have focused on improving my health through diet and exercise. It has made a difference in my ability to think more clearly, so the trade of was worth it.

I’m sorry you’ve missed my emails. I’ve double checked for you and you’re definitely still on my list. Gmail can sometimes be funny and send emails to your spam folder. It can help to add my email address to your contacts and to drag my email to your main inbox (if it landed in the promotional folder).

Improving your health through diet and exercise is a very worthy endeavor. It sounds like you had your priorities right. Perhaps more writing next year?

Thank you for your lovely comment, and may 2018 bring you happiness and health.

Hi Henneke I salute you for the courage in your inimitable writing. You have been the most blessed inspiration to me in my blogging journey. Henneke, you have every reason to be super proud of your achievements. But your modesty too is commendable! I wish you a blessed Christmas and better health for 2018. Know this Henneke, as long as you write I will read.

it’s so easy to see what others have achieved (or what they SEEM to have achieved) but we often struggle to see the light that shines in ourselves.

I feel this way, too.

I’m struggling with my writing these days because in a project a longtime customer of mine wasn’t as excited with my writing as he was before. That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Not what you’s call a catastrophe, right? But the voices in my head start doubting if it was the right decision to be a writer in the first place, I start procrastinating other projects out of fear of failure and bla bla bla …

But when I look back at 2017 (and really take some time for it) I see much more successes and I’m sure we all do, if we take the time. (I even started a new business that I havent’ even thought of in January. How cool is that …)

On a personal note, I can only say that your blog posts really are and surely will be a huge inspiration. Thanks for combining writing tips with personal stories in the most enchanting way. 🙂

Congratulations on starting a new business. That’s a big achievement. I hope that when you’re taking some time to reflect on 2017, you’ll feel more proud of your successes—even the smaller ones are worth celebrating.

And yes, I know that criticism can sometimes be hard to take. I’ve learned to use comments to improve what I’m doing (if the comment is helpful) or to shrug my shoulders (if it’s unhelpful), but sometimes a negative comment can hurt and sting for many weeks. Creativity is a fickle friend! I hope you’ll re-find your writing joy again soon, and that you’ll feel inspired and happy in 2018!

Thank you very much for your lovely comment. I always appreciate it when you stop by! 🙂

Henneke your Art is delightful. It’s unique and fresh and modern. Perfect for a professional publication that wants a hip look. Your drawings have a humorous and vulnerable quality to them. Sooooo good.

You will definitely see me in January! This was beautiful, Henneke, and I cannot believe you’ve ever had to stand down harsh criticism. We love your art and it IS ART. You communicate and enchant with the drawings and that is what it’s all about. As I was reading about your wondering if your work was good enough, about your not thinking of yourself as an artist, I was also thinking of a very famous artist and story teller, Dr. Seuss. That man was outside the ordinary, which is another way of saying “extraordinary” which is what you are, too: so, so very far beyond the ordinary. And completely popular (meaning the people like you!) with his chosen audience, as you are. You must remember a few other things when you look back on this year, such as: -You have some followers who rearrange their daily schedule on Tuesdays, in order to read your work and view your drawings. -You’ve faced some major glitches, as many people must face, and have remained solvent and popular. -You made INC MAGAZINE! (How cool is that!) -You are loved by many total strangers. 🙂 -And your latest venture–that lion!–IS pretty cute. 🙂 -And you’ve accomplished all this in spite of medical issues and you done it in a language not your own.

I say, congratulations on all you have accomplished with your entire life! I hope I can someday become as courageous as you. <3 K

I think the lion might be Henrietta’s new best friend. He’s not as scary as she had thought! 🙂

I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re always with me on my writing and drawing adventures and that I know that even if I’d write a crappy post, you’ll still encourage me to keep going with a lovely comment.

And yes, it’s cool to be on Inc.com—especially that Henrietta is in there, too. Her fame is spreading 🙂

I’m a newbie. I don’t even know how I got to receive this blog post but it made me smile. Thank you for sharing your ups and downs. I feel inspired to write even just looking at the headings of your posts. Thank you for being real and so inspiring at the same time. Have a lovely festive period and I look forward to keeping in touch from all the way here in sunny South Africa. How can it get even better than this? 🙂

Dear Henneke, please doubt anything in life but don’t doubt Henrietta! She’s beautiful but what’s more important, she looks like us. From the uncertain, tentative smile to the beautiful hair. 🙂

It’s a year that I’ve been getting your emails and they’ve impacted me a lot.

I’ve come to enjoy writing! Who would have thought that was possible?

My year, due to illness and family emergencies, wasn’t perfect but it’s the best I could have done and I’m extremely proud of it.

By the way, I too am in the middle of a chronic illness. I’ve noticed it simply gives you a resilience nobody can take away from you even on darker days. Some days I am down because my illness hits me harder but that’s it, just a fleeting moment. You’ve turned your illness in something beautiful and I hope to do the same someday, too.

I’m so pleased to have discovered your site earlier this year. It’s been a great inspiration to me on my writing journey. Thank you for all of your wonderful thoughts, ideas and creativity. I hope you have a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

It’s interesting that you mention a “body of work” because as we progress in our writing journey, that body of work brings new challenges (and fears!). As you say, it’s not always easy to keep adding more. It doesn’t feel like there’s nothing left to say (I have plenty more ideas for blog posts), but upping my game doesn’t feel easy, and to keep going at the same level can start to feel boring. This is one of the reasons it’s been so interesting for me to combine illustrations and writing.

Thank you so much for adding your thoughts. I wish you a peaceful break, too, and see you in the New Year!

Henneke, super proud of you for clicking “publish” on this. Glad to hear that you are getting better physically.Thank you for the encouragement for us to look on the bright spots, I choose to celebrate the achievements and not dwell on what i have “failed” to do.

Yes, you’re so right—creativity is our best friend. Being creative makes me feel alive. Bringing more creativity into my life has not only brought me doubts, it has also brought me a lot of joy. Thank you for reminding me 🙂

Love your articles, including the cartoons. This one was especially inspiring. This past year has seen me struggling with chronic health problems for the first time in my life. As a result, I’ve had to cope with numerous changes in my lifestyle including and a greatly drained energy level. It would have been all to easy to become discouraged and depressed, and yes, there were times when I did, especially since I have had to ask for and accept more help from family and friends than I, who have always been fiercely independent, have been comfortable doing.

Reading your comments about the stories we tell ourselves reminds me that even as I faced new challenges, there were many bright spots in this past year. I have brought my health under control, regained my independence, been able to keep working, and best of all, have achieved a lovely new level in my relationship with my children.

Thank you for the reminder to focus on the positive stories rather than the negative ones. Like you, I can now confidently say that I “look forward to the journey ahead.”

Thank you for your heartfelt post. From reading the many comments here, I’d say you have many successes. The question you asked about why your stories are so negative makes me think of brain of brain grooves – actual physical grooves created in our brains by our thinking the same kinds of thoughts. Sounds crazy but you can look them up. Anyway, these old patterns of thought are hard to change. What you’ve done by changing the focus, I believe, creates new grooves. Cool, right? Anyway, thanks again for your sweet honesty and sharing, and I’ll try to revive my blog to do the same. Lauren

Yes, it’s fantastic how much our brain can actually be rewired, isn’t it? We are far more capable of change than we think, even in terms of becoming more optimistic in life or more mindful or more resilient. I find it fascinating.

Your blog is indeed enchanting. I look forward to reading it every time. You always inspire and motivate me and usually make me laugh so hard my colleagues sometimes think I have lost it. There is something to learn in every piece you write. I go back and read your blogs when I am stuck. I forward your work to friends frequently. Each of them enjoy it and comment to me about how much they like your blog. Please rest assured you are doing a great job with the blog . There is no one that I have found that writes with your style and humor. So keep being as creative as you already are Have a happy holiday season and hope you feel better soon.

You are amazing! This pulled some strings in my heart. I feel all the feelings you shared here. You have been such a huge part of my writing journey this year. Your posts have mentored me more than you could imagine. Thank you for GIVING <3

Henneke, you are a true inspiration. Keep doing “you” … because YOU are making a difference for me and so many other writers/creatives. Here’s to a successful 2018 for you and your tribe of faithful followers (myself included), whatever success may look like for each of us.

Yes, success for each of us is different, and it’s so important to find out and define what success means for ourselves as I’ve learned the hard way it’s no fun to strive for other people’s standards of success.

And yes, I’ll keep doing “me.” As Dr Seuss eloquently said: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Dear Henneke – You do so much to share your real-self to other writers. You help us to know our crappy drafting fears are “normal”. Thank you for all those valuable tips and links you give us. You make a real difference!

My best wishes for a happy Christmas (it looks like it could be a white one) and a healthy New Year.

he, he, I love your Lion. I will start doing that too. the years go by and no patting on shoulders gets done. I tend to take it for granted, it was hard work but you did, so what. And you get on with life and what you need to do. so thanks for the mail that made me aware of that. For me, publishing has been very scary and a lot to learn. If I don’t write about it it will go the same way as the other thousands of times I was scared but did it anyway. Merry Xmas and a great and new year to you, dear Henneke

Thanks Henneke I always enjoy reading your posts and love your cartoons – they make me smile. I am amazed that you have lacked confidence in your work as I totally love it – I even have an email folder with your name on it. This sharing of your vulnerability has made me taker a closer look at my own negative self-talk. And the quote is spot on – my own stress has a lot to do with the fact that, this year, I have been braving territories this woman never dared tread before. Have a beautiful Christmas break. X

from a blowy and cold Netherlands thank you very much for your last 2017 post. Your words do encourage me to go on (writing, drawing, creating) despite doubts and incertitute. Once a wise man told me: “je hoeft iets niet te kunnen om het toch te doen”. Google-translate: you don’t need to be able to do something, to do it anyway.”

I am sometimes so self-critical about my work I feel it discourages me from pushing more of it out to the world.

You get better at it with the more work you publish, especially if you are a blogger, but finding that balance between creative freedom and the need to ensure you are not pushing out sub-standard work isn’t easy.

Sometimes, people we respect and are meaningful to us – as you are to me – are seen as always confident and immune to fear. Your post reminds us that everybody is human. And that feeling fear is a natural part of ourselves. And that overcoming fear is part of our process to become better human beings. Thank you.

Thanks for this post. Even if you don’t see me as often in the comments, I wanted to say that I read all your articles from my creative retirement too, and I love them. I couldn’t agree more with what you mention about hitting the publish button being as the creative courage, at least that’s for me too. Every day we expose ourselves to the world – with fear probably – but that is what secretly makes us grow year by year. Not an easy task I agree, but the world is owned by those who dare to create, change, ask and love so we may as well have fun in this adventure 🙂

Happy Christmas and cheers to this coming 2018 in which we may both publish a book soon 😀

Henneke! Have I told you lately that I Love you? Opening up to your wisdom, your frankness, should have me watching daily for anointment. I resolve to do better! Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. P.s. was not aware of the extent of your health issues. Hoping the new year brings new strength, physically and spiritually.

I watched Janice Jackson on Oprah years ago and she was talking about not feeling good enough and another show when Beyonce asked Oprah “was it alright?” after she came offstage.

So I guess it’s quite normal to have those thoughts occasionally. It’s people like you Henneke that shine a light for the rest of us to say, Yes, I’m scared, have doubts, feel like crap AND I’m gonna do it anyway!

Sometimes (like you) we don’t own our genius and maybe 2018 is the year we step up and claim that ownership. Perhaps you could design a badge that we could all wear proudly on our websites saying “I’m a Genius” what do you think? Maybe start a movement? ?Have a very happy and joyous Christmas Henneke and a super successful, pain-free, loving 2018. ? Thanks for being you.

Yes, it’s crazy, isn’t it? We tend to think that people like Janet Jackson and Beyonce would be super-confident, but they suffer from self-doubt just like all of us. Even the superstars aren’t superhuman 🙂

I think it’s hard to own our genius (I like how you put that!). I like your idea of a movement so we can all be a little prouder of ourselves.

Thank you for your lovely comment, Joan. It’s always good to see you. Wishing you a joyous Christmas and successful 2018!

Hello Henneke, You leave us with a high note to close off 2017. Thank you for always keeping it human. You shared so many golden nuggets from your journey – I was spoilt for choice. Here are some of my faves… “Creative courage is not the absence of fear” “Creative courage means doing our work despite our doubts and fears.” Ooooo! and this juicy morsel that I call the Confidence Builder Paradox. “It’s the act of sharing my work despite my doubts.” Cheers, and read you in 2018 – fresh stories and new adventures await us all….to be continued…

Great post! I’ve always marveled at the fact that the things we are least certain about are often the things people are most drawn to. Henrietta certainly caught my eye and pulled me to your blog. She also got me thinking about my own artistic ability and how I could possibly work it into my own content. Even though I’ve never considered myself an artist, my first blog was a cartoon journal of my life that people seemed to love (although it always filled me with creative doubt).

That’s so interesting. I’ve never thought my drawings could attract someone to my blog. I was always thinking people initially came for writing tips, and then (if I was lucky!) they might start to appreciate my drawings.

I also agree with you on your point that people are often attracted to the work that fills us with most creative doubt. This is certainly true for the post where I show my more vulnerable side.

Henneke, thanks for being such a great inspiration to someone like ? me. Thank you for all of the information that you share on writing. I’ve only have been writing for going on two months now. By me writing short stories and poetry, will that make me a good copywriter or blogger?

I don’t think it matters whether you choose blogging or copywriting. For blogging, you need to be able to generate ideas to consistently write about one topic and help your readers. Each post is usually focused on inspiring readers to implement your advice. With copywriting, you need to be able to sell well—to connect with reader’s frustrations, struggles and wishes, and explain clearly why your product or service would help them, and nudge them to buy. There is some overlap of course, but blogging tends to be more educational while copywriting is more sales-focused. Both can use storytelling skills.

Hanging out on social media, where everything is “all dressed up and tight,” makes us forget how difficult being courageous can be. Reading complete, smooth blog posts and essays, written by people who made it in the online business too.

This has been a tough year for me. I’ve recently started my copywriting business but despite all the tips and the free courses I read, I am not sure I’m doing it right. Nor, that I will succeed. No matter how persistent I am. I’m also dead broke, so I can’t invest in a not free course (one of yours would be at the top of my list,) or coaching. And quitting is not an option. Because I can’t just go out there and look for a job (that’s a long story). But also because writing is what I love and want to do.

So, your story is not needy. And it is enough. At least for me, it was. You made me think about all the things I did achieve this year. And after reading through your post, I allowed myself to hold on to hope that next year will be better. The truth is, every day I must fight to claim that hope. But today, you made it a little easier.

Fighting to keep hope alive is exhausting. I was there in 2016 when my health took a turn for the worse and I wasn’t sure whether I’d ever feel better again and whether it was feasible to keep running my business. Everything was exhausting.

So, you deserve to be proud of yourself to keep going, for not giving up, and to keep your hope alive no matter what setbacks you’ve experienced. That in itself is a major achievement when life feels dark.

Something you have accomplished in 2017 is gaining more readers like myself who are learning valuable lessons that will help us on our own journeys. And I appreciate the art you incorporate into this blog. Hand-drawn work is personal and gives your website unique character. Keep em coming and have a wonderful, cozy holiday!

Sorry to hear about your chronic illness, i hope it gets better. I am amazed that you draw those infographics yourself. And, the doubt that a ‘post isn’t good enough’ will always remain. But its good to know that top writers like you also get this fear.

I once read in a book (don’t know the name) not every post is supposed to be good. Like not every picasso’s painting was a master piece, nor was Dante’s every poem epic. That’s how it goes I suppose.

Yesss, that’s such a good point. Not every post has to be great. Sometimes we have to practice a new technique, experiment with a new format or write about a topic several times before we reach new heights or are able to put our points across succinctly.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sharjeel. I appreciate you took the time to stop by.

I’m glad you like the changes on my website, Kitty. In an earlier draft, I had mentioned my web project, but I removed it as I didn’t want the post to be a summing up of everything I had done (nor of everything I hadn’t done), so I chose the things that stood out to me most.

Thank you, Henneke, for both your useful information, and the courage and generosity of your posts.

Yes, this post was good enough, and then some, and definitely not “needy.” If someone of your status has ongoing doubts, it helps those of us who are just starting out to realize that fear and doubt do not need to keep us from doing our work.

I also relate to working at a slow pace, and dealing with some chronic health issues, though not as severe as yours. So I can just get a little done at a time, but it is good to look back and see progress.

This year I was still about preparing, taking classes, starting my marketing, and — a big deal for me — finally putting up my website and getting my blog ready to launch in January.

Hopefully next year I will be able to look back on first clients, a bigger portfolio, and a little more income each month.

You’re right that the stories we tell ourselves are so important. Going through something difficult can make us a victim or a survivor. Making slow but steady progress can make us not as accomplished as others, or determined to do our best in our circumstances. Not having as many big events, like a book published, as the previous year, shows we have already done that, and are now building on that success.

We tend to be kinder in the way we speak to others than we are to ourselves.

Thank you so much for writing a great comment, Diane. I especially like your point about seeing ourselves as victims vs survivors. This seems to make a huge difference for me. Despite being hurt in a car crash which wasn’t my fault, I’ve rarely seen myself as a victim and always tried to see my situation as a challenge to get well—a challenge from which I learn more than from anything else I’ve done in my life, and it is making me a better person.

Putting up a website and launching a blog are both major achievements. I hope you feel proud of yourself and plan a little celebration to pat yourself on your shoulder.

You left me gobsmacked and smiling because as much as I’ve always admired and respected you, Henneke, suddenly you were real. That sounds awfully confusing. Of course you’re real, but you feel stress and anxiety like the rest of us.

This post drew me into a fold that I’ve never encountered before. It also bolstered my belief that if I do nothing but my best, then I can only go forward.

Here’s to a productive, fulfilling 2018 to you Henneke. 2017 has been an absolute pleasure to read you.

I tend to lose all track of time so while I can remember things from November or December, things from earlier in the year feel like they were last year, or earlier! So it’s difficult to keep track of achievements. I also find it hard to specify an ‘achievement’ because I often feel that if I found something easy, then other people would too, so how much of an achievement is it really? Definitely something I need to work on next year!

Yes, I’m the same! Even things I’ve done in the summer seem to have been erased from my memory, and I haven’t even done that much!

I don’t really like the word achievement as I associate it with big things, too. I tried to think about everything I’ve done which made a difference to my business or to me, anything I might have learned from (whether it went well or not).

Hi Henneke, just found you. I enjoyed your post about creative courage, I suppose we all feel everyone else finds things easier than ourselves. Until I read this post I thought you were like that too, I can really relate to what you were saying. Look forward to getting into the snackable writing course, thank you.

Hi Clifford, welcome 🙂 I’ve also often thought that other people’s work seems so effortless, but that’s just because we don’t see all their hard work. I appreciate your comment and hope you’ll enjoy the snackable course. Happy writing!

I was just forwarding your blog to my daughter, who is struggling with writing in her exams, and I find this post. Again I’m reminded of why I read you: YOU’RE INSPRING! Thanks for your courage to be honest. It takes my fear out of creating.

Thank you for sharing your personal struggles and about your illness, Henneke. It surely helps to know that I’m not the only one doubting myself sometimes and it helps to read about other people’s struggles. I also often get frustrated about not having done or being able to do everything that I planned during a certain time period. I also had health problems for two and a half years and it was a challenging time on many levels, but I’m very grateful that I am a lot better now and have a lot more energy nowadays. It is a wonderful blessing! I love your emails and have learnt so much from you! Thank you so much for everything that you share with us for free. It is really amazingly generous of you! All the best for 2018! May it be a very happy, healthy and blessed year for you and all the other readers.

It’s difficult to plan our work at the best of times, and when struggling with low energy (and fluctuating energy levels), it’s even more challenging. I am glad to hear you have a lot more energy these days – and how wonderful that that you can appreciate that so much more!

Thank you so much for your lovely comment and well wishes, Diana. Wishing you a healthy and energetic 2018 full of writing adventures!

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